New Milford school board gives green light to new car

Published 1:00 am, Wednesday, January 14, 2009

The school board voted 6-3 Tuesday night to spend just under $14,000 to buy a 2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser from the Southworth's Chrysler/Plymouth dealership on Route 7 for the high school program.

The decision to buy the specially-equipped drivers education car, rather than continue to lease one at $700 a month, stemmed from Southworth's President and Owner
James Williams
informing the district that the Chrysler franchise would be dissolved.

That meant that the dealership could no longer lease the vehicle.

Efforts to extend the lease arrangement were unsuccessful, and the option that seemed most palatable to district officials was to buy the vehicle used for the last nine months so the program with 28 students enrolled -- six ready to take their driver's test -- could continue without major interruption.

Another 25 to 30 are scheduled to start in February.

Expenses for the program are covered through fees.

To purchase the car, the district is transferring money from two other accounts, but expects the cost will be offset by the program. Fees for the program were raised $115 last year to accommodate rising gas prices and competition.

The drivers education program fee -- 42 hours of classroom instruction and eight hours of behind-the-wheel time -- is now $540. Other private programs cost as much as $55 more.

Board member
David Lawson
said he believes buying the car that will be able to be used for several years is a "much better deal'' than simply leasing it month-to-month.

Board members
Alexandra Thomas
and
William Wellman
questioned whether additional research had been done on leasing possibilities, as well as checking on resale value and mechanics.

District officials expect the new car with a warranty will last several more years.